Means for connecting bracelets to wrist watches



Sept. 22, 1953 L. E. vALcouRT 2,652,612

MEANS FOR CONNECTING BRACELETS TO WRIST WATCHES Filed July 25, 1950 ,qqs 52E" .10.

/y L: ven zfor: Lou/'SE'. Valcour 'forn eys.

Patented Sept. 22, 1953 MEANS FOR CONNECTING BRACELETS TO WRIST WATCHES Louis E. Valcourt, East Providence, R. I., assignor to Kestenman Bros. Mfg. Co., Providence, R. I., a corporation of Rhode Island f Application July 25, 1950, Serial N o. 175,702

3 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved springpin connector for attaching the ends of a strap, bracelet or the like to the lugs on a wrist-watch case.

More particularly, the improvement consists in providing a spring-pin connector which is adjustable to adapt it for use with wrist-watches having different spacing widths between thelugs on different types of watchcases.

One object of the invention is to provide a spring-pin connector embodying adjustable extension elements which may be set at different distances apart to provide different widths of spacing between their pintles which engage in the holes in the lugs on watchcases of various sizes.

c sion elements which is easy and convenient to manipulate for setting the pintles on said lelements in'spaced relationship at varying distances apart to fit different types of watchcases to which l the strap or bracelet is to be attached.

Another object is to provide a device of the type indicated in which the complete assembly of the holding member and spring-pin is of artistic and neat appearance with the mechanical elements enclosed and concealed from view.

Another object is to provide an adjustable spring-pin connection which is of simple construction, economical to manufacture, and proof against derangement or getting out of order so as to be efficient and durable in use over long periods of time.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specication which describes a preferred form of construction of the adjustable spring-pin connector with one modification thereof is illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one type of wrist-watch having widely spaced lugs on its case and illustrating the ends of a bracelet attached thereto by means of the improved spring-pin connector of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar View showing a wrist-watch n of different design having the lugs on its case spaced in closer `relationship and illustrating the ends of the bracelet attached thereto by the present improved spring-pin connector;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the end member for'the bracelet showing the present improved spring-pin with the pintles o its extension elements projecting therefrom to adapt them for connection to the lugs of a watch such as shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a similar View showing the parts of the device in section and illustrating the extension elements of the spring-pin as spaced at a greater distance apart to adapt it for use with a watchcase such as shown in in Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the end member illustrated in Fig. e shown with its cover swungback or opened to release the latching means for the extension elements of the spring-pin to adapt them to be adjusted at diiferent distances apar;

Fig. G is a transverse sectional view of the device taken on line 6 5 of Fig. 5 and also illustrating the bottom cover of the device as swung open to release the latching means;

Fig. 7 is a similar sectional View showing the cover of the device closed to latch or lock the adjustable extension elements of the spring-pin in adjusted relationship;

Fig. 8 is a view showing a modiiied form of construction of the improved device with the parts illustrated in closed relationship;

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view of the saine showingthe cover open with the latching or locking means for the extension elements released;

f modified form of device.

As before indicated, a `conventional method of attaching straps, bands and bracelets to wristwatches consists in providing a so-called springpin at each end of the bracelet having telescopic pintle elements extensible under the action of a spring for engaging them in the perforations or holes in the lugs on the opposite sides of the watchcase. In wrist-watches of different shape and design the size of the case varies considerably and in mens watches, especially, the lugs on the case are spaced at a greater distance apart than on other watches of the saine type or on watches of the type shown in Fig, 2 of the drawing. In these circumstances it has heretofore been genl erally impracticable for the jeweler or other retailer who sells the watchstrap or bracelet to fit it to .all types of watches. Consequently, it was ber T2.

necessary to stock several different types of watch-bands or bracelets to provide end members of different widths suitable for attachment of the bracelet to watches of different type and design. This required that the retailer stock a large number of bracelets having end members of different widths, thereby increasing his 'inventory and overhead expense and Yrendering it more diflicult to satisfy all customers possessing watches of different size and shape.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide end-members 'for bracelets Aof Aa preferred type and width with adjustable springpins adapted to t between and engage `in the holes in the lugs on watches of *different shape and size. For this purpose the present invention provides and end member for Vbraceletsiof standard size embodying convenient means for adjusting the spring-pins carried 'by such member to t a bracelet to watches of different size having ia wide range of spacing 'between .the lugs `on `the cases.

Referring tothe drawing, the vpresent vinvention may be 'embodied in `an end member 'for flexible bracelets `of a popular type .shown 'in Figs. 1 and 2 and comprising a series of expansible links to adapt it to .t wrists of different size. The end member 2 itself may be of conventional box-like form and shaped substantially lto the contour of the links vvof the bracelet, that is, 'with a portion 3 having `a crowned top wall 4 corresponding 'to that of the links 6 of `the bracelet. The end member'Z maybe vconstructed of sheetmetal shaped by a stamping operationor `formed in suitable dies. ber 2 is provided with pivot-means 5 on its hollow under side for connecting it with the expansion links `6 of the bracelet, Asee Figs. 5 and 6. Such means may include a flanged extension I projecting from the portion 3 of the end member 2 and carrying the Apivots for connection with the expansion links -Ii of the bracelet.

The forward portion of the end member `2 is constructed in the formof a 'tube "of 'rectangular cross-section lconstituting the'barrel L8 "for .tele- A' scopically mounting the spring-pin. The springpin comprises "two tubular Aextension elements I carrying slidable blocks II, see Fig 4, having pintles I2 projecting therefrom vfor engagement with the holes in the 'lugs on the wrist-watch A case. Thepintleblocks .II Aare preferably of solid construction with'the pintles '.I2 projecting from their ends. As shown fin Figs. `il to`7., inclusive, the slidable .pint'le members .orblocks `I-I are of rectangular or square .shape fto adapt them to Y slide within the ends of the vadjustable exten-- sion elements I0 which-are also slidable in the square-shaped tubular barrel of the.end-mem- The .extension elements -Ill vof Vthe device maybe constructed of sheet-metal folded into yrectangular orsquare shape in cross-.section `with one end closed but `formed with an opening .for the pintles I2 on .the blocks II to project :outwardly therethrough.

Ahelicalspring I5 extends longitudinallywithin the barrel 8 with its-ends engagingagainst the vpintle blocks I-I `as-shown `inFig. 4 to :maintain .the latter .normally :pressed against the closed ends of the slidable-extension :elements ',I; while also tending to :force the extension elementsapart by sliding them longitudinally of .the barrel l8.

AA `relatively short length of round rrod IIB islinserted through the coils .at the central :portion :of .thespring I5 whereby .toprevent the springfrom `As Iherein shown, the end mem- 4 being distorted or bowing out laterally when it is contracted as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. The ends of the rod I6 are projected into the interior of the hollow extension elements I0 when the latter are retracted into the ends of the tubular barrel 8 as indicated in Fig. 3.

It will be understood that `Vthe extension elements it provide the means for adjusting the spacing between the pintles I2 in proportion to the width of the opening between the lugs on the watchcase whatever the width of such spacing -within a relatively wide range. For latching or Alocking the extension members Il) in adjusted `relationship to regulate the spacing between the Apintles I'2,ima'nuallyoperable means are provided Ias next described. A hinged cover 20 is provided `on the Vunder side of the hollow portion 3 of the end member 2 with the latching means consti- -tuted-asa part thereof so that when the cover is closed it will fixedly hold the extension members -I.0 vin their adjusted relationship.

The cover .29 consists rin a flat plate having `hinge-ears 2i bent .around to :enclose -a :hingepin 5 reaching across the width of the end member 2 `within its hollow portion 3 and riveted through the vside walls thereof :asf-shown inrFigs 4 to 7, inclusive. rThe cover y2! is thus "hingedfto close against the bottom of the Asection '3 of the member 2 as shown `in 7, 4orttniswing open 'therefrom as illustrated in Fig. :61. A curved lip 23 projects from .the for-wardedgeoi the cover 2li to `provide for the .insertionof fthe fingernail thereunderas :inconvenience foropening the cover. The forward end `of the tcover `zii is vextended in a strip or.flange"projectingat right-angles thereto and cut away at intervals to form it into a series of blades 'or tines spaced apart to :provide 'a plurality .of .openings ."orslots therebetween. As shownin Fig. f5,zthereJareitvvo relatively wide Ablades :25, one at .each .endriuf .fthe cover 29, two narrowerblades 25 spaced 'inwardly therefrom to .provide slots '.28. .Next, there lare two pairs of narrower blades or tines 2Biand3 'with the tines rLe spaced laterallyff'rom `thef-nar- `rower blades 425to form slots SI andthe -inner tines `3e spaced from the ltines '219 'to provide Slots'32- The sidewall of Veac'h `extension -meniber IIi lis vcontinued at the fend to forma tab F35 whidh'is bent outwardly at right-angles in the yffoI-'mof a blade adapted to engage 'in the-diiferent #slots 28,

'SI and 32for'fixediyhlding'the extension members 'in adjusted position. That is tosayn after the 'extension elements IB have been adjusted with the pintles I2 :projecting from 'their 'ends `in 'proper spaced `relationship for engaging in the holes'of the lugson the fwatchc'ase--theextension element-s are 'held `by -the Io'per"atoi'^s lingers and the `cover 2'@ swung -into closed position, I'as shown in Fig. "I, `to lengage Athe blades in the appropriate slots between the tines at the edge of thecover. For example, with `the'extension members Iii projected fromtheen'ds of the barrel 8 for their widest adjustment, see Figs. 4

and 5, the blades will 'be Apositioned *for envgagement in `the slots '28 when 'the cover iis `I 5 and held'manuallywhile the zcoveriiisrolosed to engage the `bladfis v35 .the 'Sldlis 3l $0 Rick the parts in this relationship. As a further adjustment for Watches with more closely spaced lugs the extension members I9 may be pushed further into the ends of the barrel 8 and held so that the detent blades 35 may be engaged in the slots 32 to adjust the pintles I2 in somewhat closer relationship. A still further adjustment for the pintles l2 is provided by pushing the extension elements i8 into the barrel 8 until their outer ends become flush with the ends of the barrel, as shown in Fig. 3, at which juncture the cover may be closed to engage the blades 35 with the inner sides of the tines 35 whereof to hold the extension elements in their closest spaced relationship. In this way four different adjustments are provided which adapts the ends of the spring-pin to be arranged for engaging the pin- -tles 2 With Watchcase-lugs spaced 543, te",

1%" or V8 apart, this including practically al1 types and sizes of watches at present in use. It will be understood that the bracelet to which the end member 2 is attached may be of any particular Width, but the preferred type now popular is an expansion bracelet 5/8" in width and the present improved end member and spring-pin are particularly adapted for this conventional style. It should be noted that the several tines on the cover 2li are slightly curved or of arcuate shape as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 to adapt them to slide across the end of the bottom Wall 9 of the barrel 8 in frictional engagement therewith for retaining the cover closed against the bottom of the end member.

It will be understood that with the extension elements Ill locked in adjusted position as above explained the pintles l2 may be pressed inwardly at their ends by sliding the blocks i against the pressure of the spring l5. The two-part springpin can be inserted between the lugs on the Watchcase by holding the pintles l2 telescoped into the extension elements le and then by adjusting the end member 2 to register the pintles with the holes in the lugs the spring I5 will cause them to snap into the holes. In other cases, it may be more convenient to simply retract the extension elements Il] into the ends of the barrel 8 of the end member 2 without engaging their locking means and then after the pintles I2 have been engaged in the holes in the lugs on the watchcase the end members may be centered between the lugs and the cover 29 closed to engage the detent blades 35 with the appropriate slots to lock the end elements in fixed relationship. With either method of attaching the end members of the bracelet to the lugs on the watchcase the present improved device provides a secure fastening to prevent accidental release of the pintles from the holes in the lugs due to the fact that the extension elements are locked against retraction.

In the modified form of the device illustrated in Figs. 8 to 10, inclusive, the general construction and arrangement of the parts are substantially the same as first described. There is one difference in that the arrangement of the latching or locking means is the reverse of that first explained. In the modified construction the end member 40 is formed with a cylindrical barrel 4| by bending an extension of the top Wall 42 into a partly open tube of circular cross section. The extension elements 43 are also of cylindrical shape with their ends closed by crimped portions formed with openings for the pintles 45 to project under the urging of a spring 46, shown partly in Fig. 8 as pressing against the pintle blocks 41 which are mounted to slide in the extension elements. The partcylindrical barrel 4| encloses a relatively thin Walled bushing 48 Within which the extension. elements 43 are mounted to slide freely and urged to project from the ends of the barrel 4| under the expansion of the spring 46, previously mentioned.

At the inner end of each extension element 43 is a radial lug or square pin 5i) suitably fastened in the wall of the extension element with its outer end projecting through a longitudinal slot 49 in the bushing 48. The pins 50 extend outwardly from the bushing 48 in position to engage in notches or slots cut into the edge of the circular portion of the barrel 4|; it -being noted that the barrel is open across a major portion of its Width. Each lug or pin 50 projects through this opening beyond the periphery of the barrel 4| a suiiicient distance to adapt it to be engaged by the operators finger for moving the pins into engagement with the notches in the edge of the wall of the barrel. It will be understood that since the pins 50 on both expansion elements 43 project through the longitudinal slot 49 in the bushing 48, see Fig. l1, the bushing will be rotated by moving either pin to thereby effectv simultaneous movement of the opposite pin. In this Way the pins 5!) on both extension elements 43 may be engaged in the appropriate slots after the extension elements have been adjusted in the desired relationship by the movementV of one of the pins.

A yseries of slots in the edge of the barrel 4| are located with the proper spacing therebe-I tween to provide dimensional adjustments of the extension elements similar to those previously explained. For example, there may be two slots 5! Widely spaced toward the ends of the barrel 4| and two sets of closely-spaced slots 52 and 53 for narrower spacing of the extension elements 43. With the lugs or pins 5S engaged in the outermost slots 5| the extension elements 43 will be held projected at the maximum distance outwardly from the ends of the barrel 4| With their pintles 45 in the Widest spaced relationship for engagement with the lugs on watches of a type such as shown in Fig. 1. When the extension elements 43 are retracted into the ends of the barrel 4| to provide for narrower spacing of the pintles the two pins `5i) may be engaged with the notches 52 or 53 to secure an adjustment to adapt the pintles 45 to be engaged in the holes of lugs of narrower spacing.

In this last-described form of construction of the device the extension elements are locked in adjusted position engaged in the slots at the edge of the barrel 4| by means of a hinged cover 55 similar in some respects to that previously described but without the spaced blades or tines for forming slots in the cover. On the contrary, the edge of the cover 55 is straight except for a curved lip 56 at its center as a convenience for opening the cover. With the cover '55 open as shown in Fig. 9 the extension members 43 may be slid in the bushing 43 to bring their pins into register with any of the notches 5|, 52 or 53 in its edge so as to adjust the pintles 45 in proper relationship for engagement with the lugs on several different types of watchcases. After the pins 50 have been inserted in the appropriate slots in the edge of the barrel 4| the cover is closed to engage its edge against the pins to hold them in the slots and posi- '7 tively lock .the 4extension :elements :in fixed relationship. .As `the :cover S55 is closed its Ledge engages frictionally with the pins :50 to prevent iits accidental release. .A'pair of `projections 57 :at the -ends 'of the cover `55 are adapted'to engage across the sidewalls vrof the -end members 'Ml itc limit the closing movement `of 4the cover.

It will be observed from the foregoing ,specification vthat the present invention provides a device of great convenience for attaching stra-ps, bands and bracelets to wrist-'watches having `cases lof different design and dimensions. By use `of the present device embodying a springpin :of .adjustable length for iwatches having rtheir ,lugs set fat many different distances `apart many 'types of watches may tbe `iitted with the ,same type of band Aor 'bracelet andthe connecnf the device without departing from spirit or tsciope :of :the invention as ,expressed inthe ap- ,pendedclaims Therefore, Without limiting myself in this respect, .I claim z 21. Means for :attaching straps, bands land Abracelets yto wrist-watches embodying an end :member for vconnection to the end of a strap .or bracelet, :extension elements ltelescopically supported in said ,end member to adapt them to be projected outwardly Vfrom the ends thereof, pintles slidablysupportedfin said extension elements, a `spring engaging betweensaid pintles kto I.projectthern outwardly at rtheends ,ofithe exten- .sion elements, `an element vhinged to Asaid end imernber and provided with a series of spaced slots, fdetent projections :on 'the :extension :elezments .engageable ,in said .slots in the 'hinged element to :hold said elements `in diferentposi- *tions of spaced-;apart relationship, and `means lfor zreleasably 'holding vsaid hinged v,element yin position Lwith the detent means Aengaged in its slots.

2. )In a device of the type specified, `a `housing member forattachment to the ends of a bracelet, extension elements telescopicaily held in said housing to adapt them to be projected at different'distancesirom 'the ends thereof, `pintles slidable `in said extension elements, a spring engaging between Vthe pintles to maintain `them projected outwardly from the ends of the extension elements, detent `means projecting laterally `from ,said-extension elements, a `cover hinged to the housing, said cover formedwith a seriesof tines spaced apart to form slots for engagement bythe detent means on the extension elements to hold the latter in adjusted spaced-apart relationship,

and ,rictionaily-engageable means between the ;rnents, and a cover hinged to `the housngfsaid cover having projecting portions spaced along Vits edge with 'slots .therebetween :adapted to be engaged by fthe detent `means on 'the extension elements to hold them in adjusted spaced-apart relat shipto-,adapt the pintles for-engagement with `Watche-ase lugs spaced atdifierent distances apart.

LOUIS VLCOURT.

.References Cited in `the le of 4thspateni'.

UNITED STATES PATENTS iuznber 'Name Date 1,725,786 Elilnnd Aug. 27, 1929 1,309,277 Kestenrnan June-9,1931 2,028,791 Lynde darum, 1936 

